About Emerald Isle

Located on a thirteen-mile narrow strip of barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Bogue Sound, Emerald Isle is considered a postcard-perfect vacation destination. Many families decide to rent a summer house here and return year after year. One of the most popular aspects of Emerald Isle is its accessibility to several desirable points around the Outer Banks area. Rent a beautiful summer villa here and let your children make memories that will last a lifetime, or take a long weekend away from work and sneak off to Emerald Isle for a romantic getaway.

Here are a few suggestions of things to do here:

Go on a wild horse safari: A 15 minute ferry ride can take you from Emerald Isle to the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Here you can meet the wild horses of Shackleford, one of the last remaining wild horse populations in the United States.

Learn about pirate history: The legendary Blackbeard, also known as Edward Drummond, was one of the most famous pirates of North Carolina's Outer Banks. Visit his house in historic Beaufort and learn more about how pirates lived, how they died, and the adventures that happened in between.

Play on Shackleford Beach: Go shelling, swimming, sunbathing, wild horse watching, or dolphin spotting along this stretch of the unspoiled Shackleford Banks, right across the water from the Rachel Carson Estuarine Reserve.

Spend the afternoon in the spa: Enjoy head-to-toe pampering in one of the many spas within reach of Emerald Isle.

Play golf: The golf courses you'll find in this area are some of the greenest, best kept and best designed courses in the state.

Take a nature tour by boat: Explore the marine ecosystem, learn more about the salt marshes, and see dolphins, turtles, lighthouses and famous landmarks.

For your stay, book a vacation rental that offers everything you need. You may decide to rent a small condo just for two or a beach house big enough for a family reunion. No matter what you're looking for, you'll definitely find a place with beautiful views of the ocean almost anywhere you decide to stay.

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